Henry Benn writes ……….
The Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Articulated Mallet is the most
beautiful and useful locomotive the world has ever seen.
This locomotive was given to the National Railroad Museum by E.
R. Harriman, Chairman, and A. F. Stoddard, President, of the Union
Pacific Railroad. On July 8, 1961, Vice-President E. H. Bailey,
formal opening of the Museum.
The 4017 was accepted for the Museum by H. E. Fuller,
Chairman.
This locomotive is one of the 25 built in 1941 and 1942, termed
Big Boys.
They are the largest steam locomotive ever built.
The Big Boys represent the supreme achievement of the age of
steam. This locomotive operated from 1942 to 1949, over a million
miles between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wy. and Ogden, Utah.
This locomotive could haul a 6000 ton train at seventy miles per
hour. The Big Boys hauled over a million tons of freight for the
Union Pacific.
Driving Wheel 68 inches, Tractive Force 135.375 lbs., Height
16′ 10′, Boiler Pressure 300 lbs per sq. in., Grate Area
150.3 sq. ft., Firebox 19′ 7′ x 8, Total Weight 560 tons.
Length 132′ 10′, Tender Capacity 28000 water – 28 tons
coal.
The 4017 was hauled from Council Bluffs to Green Bay by the
Milwaukee Railroad. The Northwestern, from Green Bay to the
Museum.
Henry Benn Ord, Nebraska
Mr. Beckemeyer writes……….
Just a few comments on articles by Blaker and the ‘Baker
Fan’ article by Lyle Hoff master in the Jan. Feb. issue. I
think Mr. Hoff master gave some of the ole-know it all boys
something to chew on for a while. I believe I would be considered
among one of the young hobbyist and do certainly see no point in
proving which engine has the most power and efficiency over any
other engine or make, especially this day and age. It’s a dirty
shame in my opinion, the way these engines are made to labor on a
brake just to prove a ‘few old engineers’ hard headed
opinions.
These old kettles are nothing but a hobby and show piece and
lets keep it that way. Should one of these engines ever blow up
while in a crowd, I’m sure some of us, if we survive, will wish
we had never seen an engine.
Now fellows don’t take me wrong as I have no intentions of
handing out black eyes or on the other hand bouquets. All I wish to
bring to mind is the question of what is really important!- – -I
enjoy going to reunions and visiting with you people, seeing and
hearing the engines run, so let us be reasonable as we have nothing
to sell but a hobby and lets keep it safe for our own good and the
public who come to share our hobby and enthusiasm.
H. E. Backemeyer Tolono, Illinois
